January 1, 1969
The first episode of the cult Soviet animated series "Well, Just You Wait!"—the longest-running series in Russian animation—was released on Soviet screens.
— The kids are waiting for my gifts! And you'll get it from me!
— Finally, all my dreams are coming true. My best present is you!
Back in 1968, Soyuzmultfilm commissioned a story on the theme of "don't bully the weak." A two-minute pilot episode was filmed by a then-aspiring director. Gennady Sokolsky.
After the pilot, they decided to make a full-fledged animated film, but with a more experienced director. The screenwriters Alexander Kurlyandsky, Felix Kayumov и Arkady Khait found for this Vyacheslav Kotenochkin.
To voice the Wolf, he first invited Vysotsky, But he was never approved—in the late 60s, he was considered an "undesirable" artist. Kotenochkin kept a memorable episode of this: at the very beginning of the first episode, the Wolf whistles Vysotsky's "Song of a Friend" as he climbs the rope to the Hare's balcony.
Long before the cartoon "Well, Just You Wait!", if I was asked to draw something, I would usually draw a hare. It was my signature.
(Vyacheslav Kotenochkin)
The Wolf wasn't so straightforward: the artist scavenged the unbuttoned shirt, guitar, and cigarette from Moscow's back alleys. To complete the look, he referenced Kotovsky's character from the 1942 film of the same name.
For the voice acting of the Wolf drowning on the beach To Anatoly Papanov — he was invited to replace Vysotsky — and had to seriously gulp down a bucket of water. After the cartoon's release, he complained that he was constantly being asked to shout the phrase "Well, Hare, Just You Wait!"
True, the surname Papanov and Klara Rumyanova, They forgot to put the voice of the Hare in the credits for the first episode.
The artistic council passed the cartoon almost unconditionally, despite the fact that Fedor Khitruk (the author of "Winnie-the-Pooh" and "Boniface's Vacation") saw the cartoon as a departure from tradition and an imitation of American cinema.
The premiere was a resounding success. The soundtrack, "Water Skiing," was composed by a Hungarian composer. Tamaš Deák instantly became as popular as the cartoon itself.
The crowd was roaring with laughter even before the Wolf did anything on camera. The romantic, underworld hero proved incredibly relatable. I personally witnessed a woman in the front row at the Barrikady movie theater fall off her chair and convulse with laughter.
(Alexey Kotenochkin, the director's son)
Filming of subsequent episodes lasted 17 years, until 1986. A single 10-minute episode of "Well, Just You Wait!" took nine months of work—15,000 drawings were required.
When the next episode started on TV, the streets became empty.
The cartoon was called "an encyclopedia of the era." It perfectly reflected the period of rule. Brezhnev and scenes of Soviet life. But the main image was the Wolf with his unsettled life—behind it lay a subtle satire.
Many found the chase scenes, arguments, and reconciliations in "Well, Just You Wait!" reminiscent of the 1940s American animated classic "The Adventures of Tom and Jerry." Kotenochkin denied the plagiarism accusations, claiming he only saw "Tom and Jerry" on VHS in the 80s.
He didn't make any money from "Well, Just You Wait!": 90% of the box office receipts went to the state, and another 10% to Goskino.
In 1988 Kotenochkin received a state prize.
Why are we so happy? Because we're talented!
(Vyacheslav Kotenochkin)